Letter on Homelessness from the Business Community

A network of advocates across the city working tirelessly to save the lives of people experiencing homelessness, are releasing this open letter from prominent members of Toronto’s business community. They have signed on to the call for Mayor Tory and City Council to declare a State of Emergency.

Open Letter from Business Community Members on Toronto's Homeless Crisis

A network of advocates across the city working tirelessly to save the lives of people experiencing homelessness, are releasing this open letter from prominent members of Toronto’s business community. They have signed on to the call for Mayor Tory and City Council to declare a State of Emergency. See their open letter and the list of signatories.

We are business people and real estate developers who support the demand that Toronto City Council declare a State of Emergency re the crisis of homelessness and scarcity of affordable housing.

People’s lives are at risk - the lack of safe places to live for individuals and families is a human rights crisis.

It is estimated that there are now more than 9,000 individuals who are homeless in our city, and many more are at high risk of homelessness.

The current City plan is for more shelters and for the building of 10,000 new units over 5 years on public land, with only 3,700 ‘affordable’ rental units; and there are no deep subsidies or RGI (Rent-geared-to income) units. The City needs to be much more ambitious in its vision and goals.

In 2018, there were 181,000 people listed on Toronto's centralized waiting list for housing, and the city's rental vacancy rate is an "unhealthy 1%, with demolitions and home-sharing units putting further pressure on the rental market."

The City of Toronto is certain to have continuing emergencies with homelessness because of the escalating costs & prices of new housing units. There has been 20 years of neglect in not building much needed affordable rental housing. By declaring a State of Emergency for this crisis, we can focus on safer short-term options and bring together the three levels of government to develop an urgent housing plan for individuals and families who are homeless.